Why I Am Renouncing ISKCON + Russian Writes

09/11/22

The Governing Body of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) has chosen, against the demands and petitions of thousands of its members, to keep a known and admitted pedophile in the highest position of authority and leadership within its institution.

Despite the cry of advocates for justice and change, and the investigations of the society’s Child Protection Office, and the recommendations of independent legal council, and the pleas of many of the movement’s own leaders, ISKCON management has shown where its allegiance lies, which is to its own self-serving higher-ups, rather than to its community (a 100% voluntary community, I may add).

The GBC (Governing Body Commission) of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness has repeatedly displayed its inability, as a spiritual movement, to adapt, progress and grow with the times (after all, women JUST became ‘approved’ to act as initiating gurus, while men have held the position for over 50 years).

Its unwillingness to support and protect the victims of abuse and to create a healthy, non-toxic, inclusive society, coupled with its willingness to endanger the safety of its membership by empowering a man who, by his own admission, sexually abused an 11-year old girl, but “no longer poses a threat” (as per the official GBC statement) exemplifies exactly where the hearts and minds of the GBC lie.

I can no longer, in good conscience, identify or affiliate with the institution of ISKCON, lest I be a party to its sins.

With humility and faith in Krishna, and a deep love and appreciation for Srila Prabhupada (founder of ISKCON), I hereby officially renounce and remove myself from any affiliation with the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (the institution itself, not the worldwide family of Krishna devotees). I’d encourage any devotees who feel a sense of duty to Srila Prabhupada and have any kind of base moral compass to do the same.

Hoping for change,
Justin King / Govardhana das

[PADA: As M Dasi has already stated, most of the original Srila Prahbupada devotees are gone. Most of the second wave of "GBC guru disciples" are gone. Most of the second generation "gurukulis" are gone. Most of the mothers are gone. Most of the new age, spiritually minded, intelligent Western populations are gone, and they no longer are attracted or visit. 

Almost all that remains are a few leaders who are trying to squeeze and extract funds from the largely Hindu congregations. And some of the "Hindu scholars" in this group do not even know that Vaishnava acharyas use the jnana mudra, never mind many other things they are clueless about. 

And their scholarly India ICC board openly promotes a pedophile as their acharya. So the whole thing is dwindling down, but the few old guys in charge won't let go.

A Russian devotee wrote to explain to me that is the SAME current problem in Russia. Some really old -- and out of touch -- guys are in charge, and they and their oligarch circle have been exploiting the population, making themselves billionaires while the mass of citizens can barely afford basic things. And that is why their soldiers are stealing women's underwear, TV sets, toasters and toilets, because they don't have these things in Russia. 

However, the mass of younger Russian people are not interested in the world domination plan of these old oligarch guys. They want to integrate with the rest of the world, and get their toasters and toilets by improving the Russian economy, not by killing and stealing from their neighbors. 

But the old guys won't relinquish control to the youth. So the whole thing remains locked up and deadlocked. And worse, most of the alleged 50,000 dead and 50,000 wounded are all -- young people. The young people's lives are being sacrificed to uphold the old guys and their false billionaire circle. And that process is something like what is happening in ISKCON evidently. I agree with this Russian devotee, sounds about right. ys pd

angel108b@yahoo.com]